Following the footsteps of Saint Jane Frances de Chantal and Saint Francis de Sales
12 JUN (Wed) Washington (IAD) to Geneva, Switzerland
Prayers for a safe journey as we begin with an overnight transatlantic flight from Washington Dulles to Geneva, Switzerland. We begin our pilgrimage aboard an overnight flight with dinner aloft and inflight movies, and breakfast prior to landing in Geneva.
13 JUN (Thu) - GENEVA
We arrive at Geneva airport, meet our English-speaking Tour Escort and transfer to the city center where we will enjoy a guided city tour including the Basilica of Notre Dame and Church of St. Germain, where we celebrate Mass. On to our hotel with time to rest before dinner. (D)
14 JUN (Fri) - GENEVA / ANNECY / GENEVA
This morning, we travel to Annecy where we will visit the Basilica of the Visitation, where the relics of St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane Frances de Chantal are kept; the Church of St. Joseph, now the Convent of the Sisters of St. Joseph, the second monastery of the Visitation, founded in 1634; the Church of St. Francis de Sales, the burial place for both saints until the French Revolution in 1793; the Saint Francis de Sales Memorial. Celebrate Mass and after that, we will have time for personal exploration. Enjoy dinner in Annecy at a local restaurant, before returning to Geneva for overnight. (B,D)
15 JUN (Sat) - GENEVA / DIJON
Beginning with a beautiful drive, we arrive in Dijon, the city where St. Jane de Chantal was born. Our local guide will introduce us to the medieval city of Dijon. We will visit Sainte Chapelle where she first heard St. Francis de Sales preach. We continue to the Church of St. Michael and the gothic Cathedral and celebrate Mass. Enjoy free time exploring Dijon, famously known for mustard and wine. (B,D)
16 JUN (Sun) - DIJON / BOURBILLY / DIJON
Today’s excursion takes us to Bourbilly, where St. Jane de Chantal lived with her husband. We will have a guided visit including Bourbilly Castlle and celebrate Mass. On our journey back to Dijon, we will discover Burgundy wines during a wine tasting. Dinner tonight will be in a local restaurant. (B,D)
17 JUN (Mon) - DIJON / PARAY LE MONIAL
Depart to Paray Le Monial, important place for the spread of the Message of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. We will visit both the Chapel of the Apparitions and the Basilica of the Sacred Heart to celebrate Mass. Tonight we will enjoy dinner in a local restaurant. (B,D)
18 JUN (Tue) - PARAY LE MONIAL / MOULINS / PARAY LE MONIAL
Today we will go to Moulins, where St. Jane died. Visit the Visitation Convent. Then on to Nevers: After taking the veil, St Bernardette lived for 12 years as a member of the Congregation of the sisters of Nevers. Throughout her life she suffered from and eventually died of asthma at the age of 35. See St. Bernardette’s incorrupt body at the convent of St. Gildard, miraculously preserved since her death in 1879. We celebrate Mass in Saint Bernadette’s Chapel, before our return to Paray Le Monial for the evening. (B,D)
19 JUN (Wed) - PARAY LE MONIAL / ARS / LYON
Today, we travel to Ars where we'll visit the Tombs of St John Vianney, patron saint of all priests, located in the Basilica, where we celebrate Mass. Time in Ars for personal reflection before we continue to Lyon for dinner and overnight in our hotel. (B,D)
20 JUN (Thu) - LYON
Today we will enjoy a half day city tour (with local guide) of Lyon. Celebrate Mass within the Basilica of Notre Dame de Fourviere and visit St. Irenaeus Church. In the afternoon, we will have a boat ride on the Saône and Rhône rivers. Enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in hotel. (B,D)
21 JUN (Fri) - LYON / DEPARTURE
Today we say Bonjour, and travel to the airport where we board our transatlantic flight back to the USA with memories to last a lifetime. (B)
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